Beyond Elegance [Divinagracia Series #1] - COMPLETED

Prologue

I would just like to apologize. Expect for some cringey-first-story-plot-and-writing all throughout Beyond Elegance. Wouldn't want to delete this because why spare ourselves from embarrassment, right ;)

Beyond Elegance: Prologue
SERAPHINA BRIELLE DIVINAGRACIA

"Baby..."

Bumungad sa aking harapan ang nakangiting Privo. I immediately felt at ease, at home... at last I'm safe, with my love.

"Hey..." tangi kong sabi sa kaniya. He gave out a broken smile before leading me to the couch of his Condo.

"Hey..."

"H-Hindi na ako magtatagal pa," kaagad kong putol para matigilan siya. His hand was left stranded on the air while his eyes deeply bore unto mine.

"I'm going to make this quick." Napalunok ako at pinigilan ang sarili na gawing laruan ang mga daliri dahil sa kaba.

I looked at Privo again and smiled. He smirked, too, probably thinking that I'm here to patch things up.

Lahat ng bigat na pilit kong itinakwil ay bumalik sa isang iglap. My chest began to tighten and my heart started to beat erratically. Biglang nanghina ang buo kong katawan at bawat parte ay uhaw sa yakap ni Privo. Ngunit, hindi ko magawa. Kahit nasa harapan ko lang siya ay hindi... hindi ko kaya. Hindi dahil ipinagbabawal pero sa dahilan na hindi ko matimpi ang kaisipang huling yakap ko na 'to, huling tingin, huling pag-asam, at huling abot-kamay sa pangarap ko.

"Baby, please let me g-go," I uttered the words that never crossed my mind over the past few months but still dared to say.

Tiningnan ko siya sa mga mata. "Pakawalan mo na ako. Hindi ko na kaya, P-Privo."

Nanigas siya sa pwesto habang tinititigan ako sa mga mata. I saw how all his facial features turned blank and stoic the moment I pleaded for him to let me go.

"Please let me go cause I've been hurting so much. Hindi na ako nakakatulog, Privo. I don't eat that much anymore." Mahina akong natawa.

"I don't like Mango Juice anymore, baby." Kahit nakangiti'y naramdaman ko ang pagtulo ng mga luha sa pisngi. Naalarma siya dahil dito ngunit natigilan pa rin sa pwesto.

"I'm leaving," I uttered again the moment I saw a hint of hope in his eyes.

"What?" sa unang pagkakataon ay sumagot siya.

"I'm leaving cause the despair I'm feeling is stronger than my love for you. Mas nananaig ang pighati sa puso ko kaya hindi na kita namamahal nang buo. I can't love you the way you love me... so I have to let you go."

Umigting ang kaniyang panga, kasabay ng paghakbang para lapitan ako.

"Leaving is not always the answer, Seraphina."

"It is not only the answer, Privo... but it's my only choice! Kaya pakiusap, pakawalan mo ako... cause I can't endure deciding to leave and stop loving you at the same time." My voice suddenly softened at the end.

Humakbang ako papalapit sa kaniya.

"Let me go... cause I can endure the thought of me leaving you cause you asked me to."

My fingers longed to trace his nose, lips, and jaw. Then, I felt my eyes twinkle with pain.

"Masyadong mabigat. It's too much pain, baby."

"Then don't do it," mariin niyang sabi at pilit na iparamdam sa akin ang pagsasalungat niya.

"Please give me a chance. Give me a chance so I could sleep again, eat, and love mango juice."